Reader Reviews
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Library Theatre, Manchester)
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 | A different kind of egg awaits anyone able to get to the Library Theatre Manchester over this Easter period before April 29th. Making puerile puns/jokes about a 10 year old girl so severely disabled that she cannot even react to the attention her parents give her might seem inappropriate but its exactly the coping mechanism that her father Brian employs to get through. Not knowing what to expect from this play, except that it has been a critical success since first being performed in 1967, I was treated to a beautifully observed black comedy whose principal purpose is to make us laugh but also brings an emotional lump to the throat at times. The style is unconventional, the characters break the "fourth wall" and talk to the audience directly. There is also a great deal of improvisation that adds a freshness to the performance. The device of adding three more characters in the second act works well as we get to see how the family reacts to the "real world," at least as it was in 1967. Everyone plays their roles well, but particular credit must go to Jason Thorpe as Brian. Another cracker from the Library Theatre. - 20.138.246.89) | 05 Apr 06 |
